Baltimore Orioles: Reasons for Miguel Gonzalez Concerns

Mar 8, 2016; Sarasota, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Miguel Gonzalez (50) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

If a key component for success for the Baltimore Orioles in 2016 is a necessary bounceback season from Miguel Gonzalez and Chris Tillman, there is early reason for concern.

Chris Tillman takes the mound on Tuesday, and it will be interesting to see if he is ready to progress, or if he is still affected by the early-season injury.

Looking at Gonzalez, he has now turned in two horrible starts in his three outings. On Sunday he allowed six runs on seven hits with three walks, all in a mere 1.2 innings of work. He previously yielded seven runs in 1.1 innings in his first spring start and then one run over 2.2 in the middle of his three outings.

All of this totals to 14 runs on 18 hits in 6.2 innings, for an ERA of 22.24. How’s that bounceback stuff working out?

The 9-12 season of 2015 with a 4.91 ERA is still fresh in everyone’s minds. Admittedly, his health was not fully with him last year. But is it really back?

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Gonzalez deserves a long look. Even factoring in the poor results of a year ago, his overall numbers with the Orioles are good: 39-33 / 3.82 / ERA / 1.282 WHIP.

Miggy’s story is a great one, essentially being rescued from obscurity and ascending to MLB starter status in a most unexpected way. He does not have the great upside talent of many, including hordes of more-gifted arms who have never accomplished what Gonzalez has done.

But for Gonzalez to be good, he has to have it all working at a high level. He is a pitcher, not a thrower. His stuff is not overwhelming. He needs pinpoint control. The umpire needs to help him out on the corners (which apparently did not happen today). But if Gonzalez is not hitting his spots precisely, along with the best stuff his talent brings to the game, the results can go in a poor direction rather quickly.

Again, his past success and good character earn him the opportunity to work it out and get back to a sweet place. But how long might it take, and what price might that cost the Orioles of 2016?

A concern in the minds of many fans is that Miguel Gonzalez of 2016 will be the second coming of the Bud Norris of 2015. Norris was given an extended chance to overcome a horrible spring, remembering the success of the 2014 season. But clearly he was not well, suffering from an illness that categorically changed his ability to be effective.

Honestly, Gonzalez’s stats in three starts are already worse than Norris’ in four Florida starts last year. Bud threw 11.2 innings, giving up 12 runs on 16 hits — ERA of 9.26. Norris was only slightly better in 11 starts in the regular season, going 2-9 with an ERA of 7.06. Those losses contributed to building the early hole from which the Orioles never really escaped completely.

So, on one hand he deserves a long look, but on the other, the Orioles can’t really afford it. This is a conundrum, also exasperated by the lack of any clear alternative solution. Perhaps Vance Worley is a possibility for a fifth rotation spot? He has at least performed decently. Or Tyler Wilson? He has struggled a bit more this spring.

Actually, there are few attractive pitching statistics so far this spring on the Baltimore Orioles, other than the short relievers like Zach Britton, Mychal Givens and Darren O’Day.

Next: Reasons for Hope for O's Fans

Speaking of relievers, I will go on record here as saying that the Orioles made their worst move of the year last week in taking Andrew Triggs off the 40-man roster to clear a space for Pedro Alvarez. I’m not down on the Alvarez addition, but losing Triggs is a big mistake. He will be joining the Oakland A’s. Chaz Roe would have been a better deletion. Triggs has numbers not different at all from Givens, and the day is going to come when there will be regret for losing this talent.

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